Sky has bought a majority stake in Great British Bake-off and Benefits Street producer, Love Productions.
Founders Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie will run the company as a stand-alone unit which will continue producing programmes for other UK broadcasters and developing formats for sale around the world.
Sky’s international distribution business, Sky Vision, will distribute all new programmes and formats but Love Productions’ current agreements with other broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.
Sophie Turner Laing, Managing Director, Content, Sky said: “This is a significant step for our growing international content business. Love is one of the UK’s most innovative and creative independent producers with a track record of success across a range of genres, both in the UK and globally.
“Led by Richard and Anna, Love has a hugely talented team with exciting plans for the future. We are really looking forward to supporting them as they build on their relationships with different broadcasters throughout the industry and helping them to grow the business”.
Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie said: “We are extremely excited by the prospect of a partnership with Sky. We feel it’s the perfect time to be working with a group who can help us realise our creative and commercial potential and fulfil all of our international ambitions for the Love brand.
“ Love has always sought to be a pioneering company, launching new ideas and breaking new ground. Sky feels like a company of the future, full of dynamic and extremely creative leaders who will back our independent spirit and are keen to support all our future ambitions.”